Load-handling apparatus



April 23, 1968 Y M. FREY 3,379,325

LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Max Frey v BY mvEN'roR HH-ys.

April 23, 1968 M. FREY LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 13, 1966 United States Patent ()fitice 3,379,325 Patented Apr. 23, 1968 3,379,325 LOAD-HANDLING APPARATUS Max Frey, Portland, Greg, assignor to Cascade Corporation, Portland, Greg, a corporation of Oregon Filed June 13, 1966, Ser. No. 557,098 6 Claims. (Cl. 214134) ABSTRACT F THE DHSCLGSURE Load-handling apparatus including a turntable, an elongated track anchored to the turntable for revolving about an upright axis, a carriage supported for movement along the track between retracted and extended positions, and a pair of lift forks mounted on the carriage for shifting between lowered and raised positions relative to the carriage, with the forks supported entirely on the carriage when in their lowered position. A power-operated elevating member is positioned adjacent an end of the track which member is operable, with the carriage occupying its extended position, to raise and lower the forks through engaging guide rollers mounted on the forks. With the forks raised, such guide rollers are then positioned for riding on the track, and with subsequent movement of the carriage on the track the rollers support the forks for retraction and extension in a raised position.

This invention relates to load-handling apparatus, and more particularly, to such apparatus which includes an elevatable, load-holding platform that may be extended and retracted for handling loads.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the load-holding platform comprises a pair of elongated, laterally spaced forks which are extended from a supporting frame beneath a load and then elevated while extended to lift the load. In transferring the load, to a new location, these forks may be retracted on the frame while elevated, swung to one side, extended, and then dropped to deposit a load. This invention more particularly concerns means for raising and lowering the forks as required to so pick up and drop a load.

In powering the raising and lowering of the forks it is convenient to use one or more fluid-operated rams. If these are directly connected to the forks, flexible conduits or hoses are required to supply the rams with operating fluid. Such hoses, however, are undesirable where they must accommodate relative extensibility between parts and are exposed, as they are relatively easily damaged, are bulky, and require some takeup arrangement to provide for the relative movement desired in the parts.

A general object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide novel load-handling apparatus with forks or other load-handling means which may be extended and retracted as well as raised and lowered.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which includes an extensible, elevatable load-holding platform, and means for elevating the platform actuated by one or more power-operated rams, wherein the platform, on extension and retraction, moves independently of the elevating means and rams. With such an organization, neither the elevating means nor the rams are required to travel with the load-holding platform.

A related object is to provide, in such apparatus, novel elevating means which is engageable with the platform to change the platforms elevation, but normally disengaged during extension or retraction of the platform.

According to the invention, the load-holding platform is movable along either of two horizontal paths, spaced one above the other. With the platform fully extended,

elevating means provided in the apparatus may be actuated to place the platform in a position whereby on subsequent retraction, the platform will move in a selected one of such paths.

Yet another object is to provide load-handling apparatus of the type described above, which is relatively safe to use and reliable in operation.

These and other objects and advantages attained by the invention will become more fully apparent as the description which follows is read in conjunction with the accompaying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified top plan view of load-handling apparatus as contemplated herein with different positions of the apparatus shown in solid and dashed outlines, respectively;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, somewhat simplified with respect to the illustration of a carriage in the apparatus and associated structure, to obtain clarity, and showing a load-holding platform, forming part of the apparatus, in several of its positions;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the carriage and associated rams provided for moving it, with such removed from the apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is an end elevation, viewing the apparatus from the right in FIG. 2.

Turning now to the drawings, and with reference first to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the apparatus contemplated includes a pair of laterally spaced, elongated beams or channel members 12 which substantially parallel one another and each constituting a track herein. Channel members 12 have inwardly extending, horizontal upper flanges 12a, and similar horizontal lower flanges 12b. The upper faces of flanges 1212 are referred to herein as first ways. The upper faces of upper flanges 12a are referred to herein as second ways. The channel members are suitably connected together by brace tructure including a transversely extending back plate 16, which may be welded to the rear set of ends of the channel members (seen at the left of FIG. 2).

Suitably joined to the outer sides or" channel members 12, and forming part of the frame for the apparatus, are elongated side plates 18. These side plates have upwardly projecting portions 18a adjacent their rear ends. Secured as by welding on top of portions 18a, are horizontal supports 22, which project laterally outwardly from portions 18a. The supports are braced by struts 26, which are welded between portions 13:: and supports 22.

The frame of the apparatus further comprises upwardly extending plates 39, suitably fastened to the outer sides and adjacent the rear ends of beams 12. Plates 30 may also be joined to the front face of back plate 16. Supports 32 joined to the plates 30 extend laterally outwardly from the plates. Supports 32 are further braced by struts, such as strut 34, which are welded between the plates 30 and the supports.

Channel members 12, through side plates 18, are secured to the top face of a circular plate, or support member, 35 forming part of a turntable. This plate, in the embodiment illustrated, is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis with respect to a subassembly shown generally at 36. This assembly includes base supports 36a, and a horizontal, substantially circular, stationary base plate 36b which is suitably mounted on top of supports 36a. Plate 35 in the turntable is rotated under power by suitable drive means (not shown).

The apparatus further comprises a carriage 37 shown removed from the assembly in FIG. 3, which is movable along the ways provided by flanges 1215. More specifically, this carriage comprises a pair of elongated, laterally spaced side members 38, joined together by cross members, such as member 42 (see FIG. 3), which extend between the side members. Side members 38, adjacent their rear ends, include upwardly projecting ears 38a. Welded on the top edges of members 38 adjacent their forward ends are support blocks 44.

The carriage further includes a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly extending gussets, such as gusset 43 in FIG. 3 (removed from the drawing in FIG. 2 to simplify the drawing), which are suitably welded on top of previously mentioned cross members 42. Joined to the fronts of gussets 48 is an upright, transversely extending front plate 50.

The carriage is supported adjacent its sides for movement along flanges 12b by means of rollers, or guides, 52 which are journaled in suitable bearings mounted on side members 38. Two such rollers are provided on each side of the carriage.

Means is provided for moving the carriage under power along the channel members comprising, in the embodiment illustrated, two laterally outer fluid-operated rams 54, and an inner ram 56 (see FIG. 4). These rams extend longitudinally of the channel members. Ref rring now also to FIG. 3, the cylinders for the various rams are connected together as a unit adjacent their opposite ends by floating tie plates 57, 58. Outer rams 54 have rods 54:: which extend forwardly to a connection with front plate 59 of the carriage. Inner ram 56 (the cylinder of which is obscured in FIG. 3 by the cylinder of a ram 54) has a rod 56:; which extends rearwardly to a connection 60 with back plates 16.

Mounted on the carriage, and forming what is referred to herein as a load-holding platform, is a pair of forwardly extending, elongated, laterally spaced forks or load-support elements 62. These forks have rear extensions 62a pivotally mounted on the carriage through pivot connections 66. These pivot connections enable the forks to swing vertically about a horizontal axis extending transversely of beams 12.

The forks are suitably connected together by a cross member 70. Mounted on the top of fork 62, adjacent cross member 70, are upwardly projecting posts 72. Fastened to the forward edges of posts 72, and extending transversely of the forks, is a load support plate 76.

The apparatus contemplated also includes support means for forks 62, 64 comprising downwardly extending gussets 73, welded to the forks somewhat rearwardly of cross member 70. The support means further comprises rollers, or load-support guides, 82 which are journaled on gussets 78. Rollers 32, are carried laterally outwardly of the gussets, and, in one position of the forks, are adapted to engage the upper faces of flanges 12a, as shown in solid outline in FIG. 2.

According to the invention, the forks may assume various positions relative to the apparatus frame. Considering several of these positions as illustrated in FIG. 2, in solid outline the forks are shown in what is called a raised and retracted position. In this position, the forks are raised and inclined at a slight angle, and are supported both by the carriage, through pivot connections 66, and by rollers 82 which engage the upper faces of flanges 12a.

In dashed outline, at C, the forks are shown occupying what is known as a raised and extended position. Here, the forks are raised, the same as described for the first-mentioned position, but are extended beyond the right-hand end of beams 12. Rollers 82 are positioned somewhat beyond the ends of beams 12.

In dashed outline, at B, the forks are illustrated in a lowered and extended position. In this position, the forks have substantially the same extension relative to the frame as they did in position C, but are lowered and inclined slightly downwardly from their rear to their forward ends. In such a lowered position, the undersides of the forks engage support blocks 44, and are supported entirely by the carriage, through the support blocks and previously mentioned pivot connections 66.

The forks are shown in what is called a lowered and retracted position in dashed. outline at A. In this position, the forks are lowered as described in connection with position B, but are retracted along the frame to approximately the same extent as in the first-discussed position. In position A, with the forks supported entirely by the carriage, rollers 82 fit within the elongated spaces located between the upper and lower flanges of beam members 12.

The load-handling apparatus further includes elevating means 86 for controlling the vertical position of the forks, and more specifically for switching them between their lowered and raised positions. The elevating means includes a pair of cranks 88 pivotally mounted by pivot connection 92 on side plates 18 of the frame, adjacent the forward ends of beams 12. The cranks are connected together for simultaneous pivotal movement by an elongated angle iron 96 which extends transversely of the beams between the cranks.

Welded on top of the angle iron, adjacent its opposite ends, are shoes or elevating members 98. Along their upper rear margins, the elevating members have upwardly facing shoulders, such as shoulder 98a shown in FIG. 2 for member )8.

The elevating means is power-actuated by a pair of fluid-operated rams 100, located on opposite sides of the frame. Each ram 100 is pivotally interconnected between a side plate 18 and a crank 88 by means of pivot connections 104, 106.

In FIGS. 2 and 4-, the elevating means is shown in a lowered position. On extension of rams 100, the elevating means is pivoted in the direction of arrow D (see FIG. 2) from its lowered position to a raised position, shown generally in dashed outline at 86A. In position 86A, the shoulders of elevating member 98, engage the lower faces of flanges 12a, with the upper faces of members 98 then lying substantially in the plane of the upper faces of flanges 12a.

The apparatus shown also includes a system 112 for supplying fluid under pressure to rams 54, S6, and 100. This system includes a base 113 carried by supports 22, 32, an electric motor 114 mounted on base 113, a fluid pump 116 driven by motor 114, a tank 118 connected to the pump by a conduit 120, and control apparatus 122 mounted on tank 118. Rams 100 are suitably connected to fluid system 112 by means of elongated conduits, such as conduits 129, (see FIG. 2), which have been broken away closely adjacent ram 100 in order to simplify the drawing. Similar conduits (not shown) connect system 112 with rams 54, 56.

Considering now how the described apparatus operates, prior to handling any load, the forks normally occupy the lowered and retracted position indicated at A in FIG. 2. In this position, the forward ends of the forks are located somewhat to the rear of the forward ends of beams 12. Elevating means 86 occupies the lowered position shown in solid outline in FIG; 2. For purposes of explanation it will be assumed that initially the forks extend to the right, viewing a top plan view of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to pick up a load, rams 54, 56, are extended, causing the carriage, and hence the forks, to move forwardly along beams 12. The forks move forwardly until they reach position B which places them underneath a load to be lifted. It will be noted that on such extension of the forks from position A to position B, they move independently of rams 100 and elevating means 86, which, in its lowered position, is completely disengaged from the forks. The forks are entirely supported on the carriage through blocks 44, and in this position of the forks, rollers 82 move freely along the space between flanges 12a, 12b in channel members 12.

Rams may then be extended to cause cranks S8 to pivot about pivot connections 92. This causes members 98 which are now positioned directly below rollers 82, to elevate and engage the rollers. Such elevation continues until the shoulders of the elevating members engage the lower faces of flanges 12a, whereupon the forks, having been shifted upwardly relative to the carriage and track, occupy position C, and the load is lifted off the floor.

Rams 54, 56 are then contracted to cause the carriage and forks to move back along the frame until the forks occupy the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 2. On such movement, rollers 52 of the carriage roll back along the lower flanges of the channel members, and rollers 82 of the support means roll on top of flanges 12a. It will be noted that on such retraction of the forks in their elevated position, they again move independently of elevating means 86. As soon as rollers 82 engage flanges 12a of the channel members, the elevating means is again disengaged from the forks. With the forks thus retracted, any load held by them is positioned substantially directly over the upright rotational axis of the turntable. Such positioning for a load offers maximum stability therefor.

The turntable may then be operated to rotate the track and forks to a new position, for example the position illustrated in dash-dot outline in FIG. 1. With the elevating means 86 still in the elevated position which it had immediately after lifting up the forks, the forks may then be again extended to place them in their position C. The forks may then be lowered to their position B, with contraction of rams 100. This results in the load being lowered at a new location.

With the elevating means lowered, and the forks in position B, rams 54, 56 may again be contracted to cause the carriage and forks to move back to position A.

Thus, the invention provides an extensible load-holding platform and means for elevating this platform, wherein the latter means is not subjected to extension, i.e., is nontraveling, on extension of the load-holding platform. This enables the fluid-operated rains, such as the ones illustrated at 100, to be supplied with operating fluid through hoses which need not accommodate travel in rams 100.

The apparatus, it will be noted, features means defining two substantially parallel and horizontal paths of travel for the forks or load-holding means between extended and retracted positions for these forks. It is through selective actuation of the elevating means and specifically exemplified by the members 98 that the particular path along which the forks are moved when eX- tended or retracted is determined.

Because such paths are defined by ways (flanges 12a, 12b) which are disposed one above the other, and because of the construction and positioning of rollers 82 on the forks, the track construction provided herein is relatively simple and compact. Moreover, the space between the ways along each side of the track affords a protected space accommodating movement of rollers 82 during movement of the carriage with the forks lowered.

Further, simplicity is obtained from the feature that the track and carriage need not be raised and lowered during handling of a load. Raising and lowering only of the forks is required.

With the track anchored to the upper revolving memher in a turntable, and with the forks retractable to a position directly over the rotational axis of the turntable, the apparatus requires relatively little operating space and thus can perform effectively in confined quarters. In addition, since the track is substantially centered on the turntable, the apparatus offers stable support for a load.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it is appreciated that variations and modifica tions are possible without departing from the invention. It: is desired, therefore, to cover all such variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Load-handling apparatus comprising:

an elongated track defining a pair of elongated, substantially parallel ways with one spaced directly above the other,

a carriage with guides supporting the carriage for movement along said track between retracted and extended positions, with said guides riding in the space between said ways and on said other way,

a load-support element having raised and lowered positions connected to the carriage and resting on the carriage in its lowered position,

a load-support guide mounted on said support movable along the space between said ways with the support in its lowered position, and

power-operated elevating means mounted in a nontraveling position adjacent said track for shifting said load-support guide, with the carriage in its extended position, upwardly past an end of said one way into a position for riding along said one way on return of said carriage to its retracted position.

2. Load-handling apparatus comprising:

a turntable including a support member revolvable about an upright axis,

an elongated, substantially horizontal track fixed to the support member,

a carriage movable along the track between retracted and extended positions and mounting at least one fork that extends outwardly from the carriage in a substantially horizontal lowered position, thus to be adapted to be shifted under a load with the carriage moved into its extended position, the mounting for the fork permitting raising of the fork relative to the carriage and track into an elevated load-supporting position,

power-operated elevating means mounted in a non traveling position adjacent said track operable to shift the fork to its elevated, load-supporting position wtih the carriage in its extended position,

and means for guiding the fork on said track with the fork in its elevated position on return of the carriage to its retracted position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said track includes a pair of elongated, substantially parallel ways disposed with one directly above the other and with a space between the ways, and said means for guiding the fork comprises a roller mounted on the fork movable along the space between the ways with the fork in its lowered position, said roller being shiftable, with raising of the fork to its elevated position, into a position for riding along said one way.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein there are guides movably supporting the carriage on said track with such guides riding in the space between said ways and on said other way.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said ways comprise portions of an elongated unitary channel member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said elevating means comprises an elevating member shiftable to raise and lower said roller, and a crank joined to said elevating member pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said channel member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,080,840 3/1963 De Man 214-1465 3,200,967 8/1965 Delzanno 214-1 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

